Jones v Smith
Standard issue Jones. Nothing to see here. Although I was intrigued by Jones' ability to make his opponents watch him, which I attribute to his ability to mix it up. Being wild but in control at the same time. He used a technique he uses pretty often which seems like it gives him 2-3 options. He'll use a flying knee then transition to a flying body kick to flying oblique kick. It's such an interesting strike as it usually doesn't land after the knee portion, but will completely reset distance. And he completes it with such control.
TWOOD v MARTY
GEEZUS Woodley is one of the most frustrating fighters to be a fan of. His corner had to be fuming. I mean he legit did nothing. Even on the ground he wasn't working at all. After Usman took him down in what I believe to be the third, maybe the fourth, he just looked like a deer in headlights. Frozen the entire fight. I think the third as well he just ate body shots for like a minute straight. WTF?!?!? I don't understand why he wont be offensive or defensive what so ever. I believe Dom said somewhere in the fight that 'He was only exploding for the finish' and nothing else. What he's waiting on, I have no idea if it was a finish he needed to work for it. Something he just wasnt doing....at all.SMH
Congrats to Usman on a well fought, gameplanned and executed fight. One thing I noticed is how long he is in the clinch, it was reminiscent of Jones. Because he's so much longer he's able to simultaneously stay out of danger and be able to generate some serious power on his shots while there. Those body shots were pretty brutal.
Askren v Lawler
1. I thought the stoppage was completely justified. I watched that replay a couple times and nothing in that clip says to me that Robbie was alive. He looked completely out until Herb pulled his arm, which was completely limp. Even when he pulled his arm back it was still pretty limp.
I WAS SCREAMING HE'S OUT, then when he popped up fine I was legit confused, but I don't think he was conscious personally.
2. Askren got luckyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I'd bet that throw came completely out of left field for him and it almost meant certain doom. He looked like an absolute zombie at one point. I truly thought he was dead to rights.
Cody v Munoz
Cody did the exact thing that cost him his last two fights. Munoz played his gameplan perfectly. Touch him a couple times and watch his composure unravel to the point he'll basically GIFT you an opening. Thrid time he's played that game and the third time he has landed 2nd. IDK what he needs to fight like he was before the first TJ fight, but they need to find it. He's biting down and swinging for the fences too much.
TL;DR:
Jones looks like Jones.
Twood needs to get out from in those headlights.
Askren got lucky, but Lawler was out IMO.
Cody doing the thing that gets him starched over and over.
